by Laura Harrington
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books (May 29, 2012)
Language: English
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Tomboy Alice Bliss is heartbroken when she learns that her father, Matt, is being deployed to Iraq. Matt will miss seeing Alice blossom into a full-blown teenager: she'll learn to drive, join the track team, go to her first dance, and fall in love—all while trying to be strong for her mother, Angie, and her precocious little sister. But the phone calls from her father are never long enough. At once universal and very personal, Alice Bliss is a profoundly moving story about those who are left at home during wartime and a small-town teenage girl bravely facing the future.For those of us who have no real experience with military life, Laura Harrington's book is a window into the lives of those who stay behind when a loved one goes to war. It feels real. It is filled with tension. It is heart-wrenching on many levels. I really, really like this book and it left me in tears when I turned the last page.
The main character is 15 year old Alice Bliss. Her father, Matt, is a member of the Army Reserves whose unit has been called into action. Matt is the heart of his family and his absence brings the differences between Alice and her mother, Angie, to the forefront. Alice is determined to carry out everything that Matt would do if he were at home. She works in his workshop, plants the garden and listens for his voice. Angie is simply trying to get by until Matt comes home and finds Alice's stubbornness annoying. The youngest member of the family is 8 year old Ellie.
It seems that the more I like a book the less I have to say about it in a review. I don't want to give away too much and it is hard to express all the thoughts and emotions that the book brought up. There are some language issues but the language doesn't feel forced. For me this is a great book and I highly recommend it.
Content:
- Sexual Content: Moderate
- Profanity: Heavy
- Violence: Mild
- Other Notables: Underage drinking
For more details, check out Alice Bliss on Parentalbookreviews.com
LINKS:
http://www.lauraharringtonbooks.com/
https://twitter.com/LaurHarrington
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2101135.Laura_Harrington
http://www.facebook.com/LauraHarringtonLH
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Janeth, thanks so much for sharing your beautiful review and being a part of the blog tour. I was deeply touched by ALICE BLISS, too. All the best, Liza
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds amazing! Can't wait to read it :D
ReplyDeleteOK. Now I'm even MORE excited to read this... Well, not excited to cry, but it sounds amazing.
ReplyDelete~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
Sounds really good!! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for featuring this book! I think anything that helps us understand the strain the families of our military go through makes us support them even more.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that everyone should read. These families go through Hell. I couldn't live with so much stress and still be able to function. Thanks for featuring it. Everyone, please read it.
ReplyDeletei think this is a great books,,cant wait to read,,and i love the cover.
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway.
icha09 at gmail dot com
Sounds like this book is very relevant because it revolves around deployment to war. I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good book, I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the giveaway and your review :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great emotional read, one I'll have to be in the mood for.
Military families have my admiration and respect. I could never do it.
Thanks for the giveaway. I really want to read this book. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the kind of story that stays with you long after you have finished reading a book. There probably will be some tears when I read this book. It sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteluv the cover, this book sounds interesting. looking forward to read^^
ReplyDeletethanks ^^
sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com
This looks like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway :D!
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ReplyDeleteThis book looks positively amazing... I must read it! Thank you for the fantastic review. You've definitely made me want to read this asap. :)
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